Iyasu V of Ethiopia (1913–1916): perilous traitor or a true modernizer?

Abstract

In 1855, the Ethiopian Empire was (re)established after almost a century of disintegration, internal political turmoil and chaos. From 1850s onwards, the Empire witnessed series of expansions southwards, westwards, and eastwards until it became what is now Ethiopia. The Ethiopian political rule was centered on three main principles: the rule of Solomonic dynasty, privileged position of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and dominance of Amharic language and culture. For any Ethiopian Emperor, it would be unthinkable to be led astray by any other principles because it would mean treason of for many centuries constructed and repeatedly legitimated supremacy of the Solomonic dynasty. Lej Iyasu (1913–1916) belongs to the rare examples of the Ethiopian history that, as an Emperor, created an atmosphere which today we would call a civil society, social equality, or religious equality. Nevertheless, his short-term reign over the vast lands if Ethiopia was filled by an experiment that at least symbolically equated Islam with Christianity, and made the Orthodox Church less important in the eyes of ordinary citizens. As any other major historical event of that time, and especially in Africa, Lej Iyasu was dethroned by an immense international pressure, coming from Great Britain, Italy, and France, mixed with internal political and regional rivalries. This study reflects the heritage of Lej Iyasu’s reign in Ethiopia and deals with the image he has had in Ethiopia’s history.